LARGO, FL — June 6, 2026 — A St. Petersburg man was arrested Saturday night after allegedly striking and killing a man riding an electric skateboard on Seminole Boulevard in Largo and fleeing the scene, according to the Largo Police Department (LPD).
Officers identified the suspect as Raman Pantsialeyenka, 44, of St. Petersburg. According to police, at approximately 10:59 p.m., Pantsialeyenka was driving a northbound red 2024 Honda Accord on Seminole Boulevard when his vehicle struck the skateboarder just south of Eighth Avenue SE. Pantsialeyenka allegedly fled the scene without stopping. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not been released pending family notification.
Officers located Pantsialeyenka a short time later at a Wawa convenience store on Missouri Avenue, approximately 1.26 miles from the crash site. The Honda Accord sustained significant front-end damage and had a shattered windshield. A witness at the scene positively identified Pantsialeyenka as the driver. He initially denied any involvement in the crash but later admitted he fled the scene out of fear of being arrested for DUI.
Investigators observed multiple signs of impairment, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, poor balance, and a noticeable odor of alcohol. Pantsialeyenka failed field sobriety exercises and recorded breath alcohol concentration levels of 0.158 and 0.162 — nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08.
Pantsialeyenka was transported to the Pinellas County Jail where he was booked on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or higher. Authorities indicated that additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
